Check out their CNY promotion at Garden Sentral Hotel from 27th January to 5th February

Garden Sentral Hotel wish to inform that they are back with their Chinese New Year Festive Promo in Kuala Belait. Promotion valid between 27th January – 5th February 2017. Garden Sentral hotel has the facilities of supermarket, variety of dining outlets, kids play, cinema, arcade, swimming pool, gymnasium, car park, open space balcony, garden courtyard and etc. All under one roof.

Searching for good quality headphone? Have you actually tried the Beoplay H6 from B&O? It has quite rave reviews for its elegant look & feel and also its superb sound quality.

The Beoplay H6 are over-ears headphones that cover you ears with the classic round pads. If you ask me, it’s visually elegant and still practical for its usage. To me, I’m more into the look and feel of the H6 and it has a timeless design. The back of each ear cup is made of aluminium, and finished in a shiny pattern of concentric circles.

It also grips well on your head and you can even use it while jogging. The padding of the headband are quite slight and great. It’s a memory form topped with real leather.

I also like the idea of the removable cable (a 3-button iPhone remote) and it uses a 3.5mm jack which is easy to replace.

As for the sound quality, it’s definitely there and something we could have expected from a Bang & Olufsen product.

All in all, the BeoPlay H6 is one classy headphone which is a smash hit here in Brunei. The only setback is that it doesn’t have a wireless option but you won’t need to worry about battery life while using it.

Another exciting news for Bruneians! The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has officially opened it’s newest café outlet located at RIPAS Hospital. Coffee lovers can now start off their morning with it’s premium handcrafted beverages from The Coffee Bean® outlet at RIPAS Hospital located at the main lobby, from 7am to 11pm.

The official opening began with the recitation of Doa Selamat by Ustaz Hj Mohd Emmarul bin Hj Azamain from RIPAS Hospital, followed with a brief welcoming speech by the General Manager of The Coffee Bean®.

“We’re excited to share our premium coffee and tea product with the community especially for RIPAS hospital personnel and visitors. This will be our 13th outlet ever since the first opening of our first café at the Centrepoint outlet in 2002. We continue to offer the same great brand experience that our customers have grown to expect at every The Coffee Bean® café. In addition, It’s a real testament to the brand for 50 years old now; it is more popular and relevant than ever”, said Fairuz Ibrahim, General Manager of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®

The ceremonial opening was then continued with the first tamping of espresso shot by guest of honors Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Abdul Munim Pengiran Anak Tahiruddin and Mohd Khairul Anuar bin POKPADPS Hj Hasrin followed by a signing of certificate.

Liyana Latif, Vice President (Activities and Events), Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council said, “The Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation and thanks for CBTL for choosing the council as one of the beneficiaries that is receiving donation under the Caring Cup Programme. We are very thrilled that CBTL is supporting our HIV advocacy and awareness programmes. Such initiative is highly applauded and other companies and private organisations should follow suit as being part of a responsible member of the community. The financial donation that we’re receiving today will be utilised for more outreach programmes and making our council a resourceful organisation. On behalf of BDAC, we’d like to congratulate CBTL on their new branch and we hope that CBTL will continue to support our cause and do keep us in mind in their future charity runs.

Same old, same old. I can’t imagine it has been almost 10 years of consumer fair because the recent one hit its 19th Consumer Fair and it’s bi-annual event in Brunei Darussalam. Many organisations have run these types of events but none has reached the peak like how D’Sunlit has run their events especially the household name of Consumer Fair.

Despite using the same formula over and over again, it didn’t seem to bother the crowd’s interests as thousands flocked in especially during the weekends. I didn’t buy anything at all apart from the orange juice from @oj2go.bn. The multipurpose was not used as I heard it underwent renovation.

In terms of businesses, I believed a lot of vendors benefited from the Consumer Fair despite a slower start in the week. Brunei Halal shared how business was better than the previous one last year. One of the cosmetic vendors ran out of stock on their products on the final day.

This year the theme for the Consumer Fair carried the theme “The Year is Yours. What will you do with it?” Both Yayasan Kanser Kanak-Kanak (YASKA) and the Brunei Darussalam National Association of the Blind (BDNAB) received donations that had been raised during the 19th Consumer Fair. Both NGOs received donations from Jackson Ting, the Managing Director of D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd.

There was also the prize presentation for the Grand Lucky Draw where the grand winner walked away with BND 2,388 cash prize. The prizes were sponsored by D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd and DST Communications Sdn Bhd.

The event organiser would like to thank the government for the continuous support and also to the vendors, exhibitors, activity partners and most important the crowd.

The next Consumer Fair the 20th edition will be on 26th to 30th July 2017 at the same venue, International Convention Centre.

The 19th Consumer Fair (CF19) officially opened its doors to the public yesterday in a ceremony at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas, officiated by Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, the Minister of Communications.

The opening ceremony was initiated with the recitation of the Surah Al-Fatihah and a Doa, followed by a welcoming speech from Dato Paduka Haji Danial bin Haji Hanafiah, the Executive Director of D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd, who said that the event is especially intended to promote products and services from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to a broader market.

More than 400 booths have been set up at the ICC this year, with several entrepreneurs from Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore and Pakistan participating alongside local vendors.

With the uplifting theme of ‘The Year Is Yours. What will you do with it?’ CF19 is focused on giving back to society, and among the charities benefiting from the proceeds are the Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei, Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam (Pusat Ehsan), the Brunei Darussalam National Association of the Blind (BDNAB) and Children’s Cancer Foundation (YASKA).

Meanwhile, a number of fun activities have been lined up for the fair, where visitors can take part in hot dog and chicken wing eating contests, an ice-cream-making contest and a cupcake-decorating demonstration.

CF19 is open to visitors from 10am to 10pm till Sunday, while on Friday it will be closed from 12pm to 2pm, for Friday prayer. Text courtesy of Lyna Mohd of Borneo Bulletin.

Get It Done app is running a competition for “Buyers” where you can stand a chance to win a Samsung phone. The idea is for the “buyer” to either buy a product or hire a vendor for a service through the “Get It Done” app. They are also participating at the Consumer Fair from 18th to 22nd of January at ICC.

Just refer to the image above.

How does the app work?

So the main idea of the “Get It Done” app is to bridge the gap between Purveyors and Customers. For your info, purveyor is a person who sells or deals in particular goods so hence the seller or provider. The great thing is that you can do this at your convenience, where you are.

Now what is it in for the customer end? Well, choices will be so much easier for you for the services you sought for.

• Get to receive Multiple Quotations to different vendors at a time – Here you can compare prices
• Find and Hire the best vendors because you know what’s best!
• Find and Purchase products that you had in mind
• Can’t find it? That’s okay, Send Requests to make a special order with your purveyors.
• Who doesn’t love a good discount? Go ahead bargain with your vendors
• A variety of Business Profiles for you to view

So now you don’t have browse on your IG feed to look for that particular vendors or providers. It’s all provided in one single app and at your convenience. Another way to shop online.

Techbru Solution will be blogging about the feature until the end of countdown, stay tune for more, follow Them on Instagram and Facebook. Visit www.gogetitdone.com for updates! Available soon on Apple Store and Google Play and it’s coming to Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia.

Devin Kho won himself a Meizu phone as he was drawn as the lucky winner for being a vendor at Get It Done App last October 2016.

In conjunction with TAIB 25th Anniversary, Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB) has been conducting workshops for their 54 participants for the past two weeks. In collaboration with Darussalam Enterprise and Start Up Hub, the workshops aims to train and educate the participants on building business proposals and pitching to potential investors. It also ensures the participants have the ability to build and sustain their potential business ideas.

Yesterday, 16th January 2017, the participants are treated to an inspirational day at the D&T Auditorium. Moderated by Shafique Hussain, CEO of Start-Up Hub, the participants are able to learn from successful entrepreneurs: Nilam Sari (Indonesia)- Owner and Marketing Director of Baba Rafi Enterprise, Josan Astrid (Philippines)- Creative Director of Astrea Software Development and Shawn Hoon (Brunei)- Editor and Publisher of Inspire Magazine.

The TAIB 25th Anniversary Entrepreneurship program ends on the 18th January 2017.

Speaking to Effendi bin Hj Said; “What we aim with conducting this inspirational day is to give the participants more confidence in their business journey. Not only will they have the chance to listen to the journey from successful entrepreneurs, we hope that this will give them more ideas that can be added to their business plans in order to make their business development more sustainable with the current market.”

Nilam Sari speaking to the participants yesterday

Some of the participants during the talk

Shawn Hoon, Editor and Publisher of Inspire Magazine

Josan Astrid, Creative Director of Astrea Software Development (the Philippines)

Effendi bin Hj Said, Head of Business Banking of Perbadanan TAIB asking a question or two

Some Q&A from participants

NAME: Raizah bin Muhd ZainiBUSINESS: RIZ KITCHEN

What made you join the T25 Program?
As local business, there is always so much to learn especially in this thriving generation and current economic situation. This business is my passion. I lover serving good food to other people, so I want to make my business a strong and sustainable one.

What did you learn from the program?
The program really gave me new insights on business management. Having plans and projections and the constant monitoring of my business. It definitely adds to my knowledge in making my business model grow and become sustainable.

How did the Inspiration Day help you in what you’ve learned over the past two weeks?
I can definitely relate to the experience of the speakers, especially Nilam Sari of Baba Rafi Enterprise since it’s also from the food and beverage industry, She showed me that in business, there are times of failure but what is important is to keep motivating yourself to succeed. There is so much to take away from the talk and I’ll definitely doing more research and homework even after the workshops.

NAME: Cheong Yee KuanYKS Crafts Paradise (Jewellery Making)

Why did you choose this business?
I love wearing jewelleries and I love customizing them. I see a gap in customising and repairs and since I have the skills, I decided to take it up.

How did the T25 Entrepreneurship workshop help you?
The whole workshop totally open up my eyes. The most important thing is I thought I knew what it takes to run my company. When I joined the workshop there are still a lot of things I thought I knew, but I never knew. The coachers share everything they knew and everything is so transparent and I learned so much from them.

How do you feel after attending the two-week workshop and then today’s inspiration day?
I am totally inspired. I love how they shared their journey- not just their successes but also their failures. It definitely gave me the confidence to move forward and make this business and my passion a success.

NAME: Saedah binti HasnalBUSINESS: bruvera.com

Why did you decide to join the T25 Entrepreneurship Program?
When talking about business, it never really was in my plan. I never thought, growing up, that I am going to open a business. But after graduating, and attending workshops and bootcamps, I started getting really interested in starting up my own business.

How did the T25 Entrepreneurship workshop help you?
It definitely helped me a lot. It really is targeted towards people who are just starting out. So it’s step-by-step and very beneficial for us start ups. The way of coaching as well goes in detail as to what we need to know to begin and then go into more detail about making it sustainable.

How do you feel after attending the two-week workshop?
I felt it was very beneficial. I did not want to miss this and I am glad I didn’t. Everyday I go to the classes and meet people who are on the same boat as me, with the same goal and I learned so much from the coaches as well as interactions with people from the class. T25 Entrepreneurship program provided me with this platform to expand my business and network and the coaches from Startup Hub really helped build my confidence.

NAME: Shafique Hussain CEO OF START-UP HUB

How did this collaboration came about?
Well, TAIB in conjunction with their 25th Anniversary had initiated this program and came to DARe who later recommended that we came in as coaches to the participants.

How was the selection process?
First of all, our goal collectively is to diversify the economy. So we’re glad that we have a wide variety of businesses applying for the grant from agriculture, retail to web development and many more.

What was your approach in coaching the participants?
Our goal is to ensure that the participants came out of the course with the essentials needed to start up a business. You can’t learn everything in two weeks, but our approach is to give them the basics and continue to monitor their progress even after the program ends.

What did you notice from the participants after two weeks of workshop?
We’ve definitely seen their mind shift. If you go back to the first part of it, we started with personal development and self-reflection cause it is the first step and after that comes the business knowledge. From what we’ve seen, we see a lot of them progress in terms of approach and their awareness of various aspects of their business.

What do you hope the participants take back from the Inspiration Day speakers?
I think what they need to know is in business it takes a lot of patience and perseverance. And to have focus; we as humans sometimes lack focus. We lose focus easily- for instance we lack interested in ideas and especially losing focus due to failure. We notice a lot of startups, once they fail they just give up. We hope that this inspiration day will help shift their mind set to persevere in their respective businesses.

As part of the ‘Pay Smart & Win’ promotion, active Baiduri Smart Executive Programme (SEP) members and Smart Executive Auto Direct Prepaid Card holders were automatically entered into a lucky draw to win amazing prizes. SEP members and Smart Executive Auto Direct Prepaid Card holders who purchased any top-ups or made any payments using Baiduri’s e-Channels, during the period of 1 September 2016 to 30 November 2016, were entitled to lucky draw chances.

10 lucky winners drew their own prizes during a prize presentation at Baiduri’s headquarters in Kiarong last Friday. The winners took turns to select an envelope from the draw bowl and simultaneously opened their envelopes revealing their prize.

According to Hjh Maripaz Abdullah, “Through the use of Baiduri’s e-Channels, our [Smart Executive Programme] members are able to do more in the same amount of time as a customer that is not utilizing the most of what the Bank and, subsequently, the Programme can offer. SEP aims to provide a variety of options through which their members can manage their finances at their convenience.”

Briefing the shortlisted winners before the event

Opening up the envelopes to check our prizes

I managed to draw a prize for Lim Mei Fong, a Sony PS4 and handing over was Hjh Maripaz Abdullah, Manager of Business Development, Programs and Special Accounts

Baiduri’s Smart Executive Programme is a unique programme by Baiduri Bank which offers a multitude of benefits geared towards the busy, working professionals. The benefits include smart banking solutions plus invitations to investment and lifestyle events. Members stand to enjoy benefits such as exclusive Smart Executive Premium Debit Cards, access to Smart Executive Centres, and exclusive offers. More information on the Smart Executive Programme is available on www.baiduri.com or from the Baiduri Deals mobile app.

Yesterday, Sejalin Living unveiled their Flexible Living launch at their B&O store and also their new payment system, the “Flexible Payment”. The management also announced a special prize for their gimmick known as “Humblebrag” and you can win yourself a brand new B&O TV.

But first let share with you the latest products from Bang & Olufsen.

BeoSound 1 and 2 are the newest members of the Bang & Olufsen BeoLink Multiroom portfolio that connects your Bang & Olufsen products into one wireless music system across the home. Connect up to 8 BeoSound 1 and BeoSound 2 in a multiroom set-up.

BeoSound 1 and BeoSound 2 are wireless speakers designed for convenience, crafted for mobility and featuring an impressive 360 degrees of spherical sound magic. Both are Bang & Olufsen’s answer to an ever-changing everyday life; they are both ultra flexible in terms of usability, connectivity and placement options – and they deliver an unparalleled 360-degree sound experience no matter where the speakers or you are placed.

“We live in a time of cord cutting where everyone wants more freedom. No one wants to be hindered by technological restriction, says Marie Kristine Schmidt, Vice President Brand, Design & Marketing and continues, “BeoSound 1 & 2 is designed to cater for a flexible lifestyle where music blends naturally into the home. The design is unobtrusive yet powerful, underscoring the purpose of the speakers”.

Now meet BeoVision Horizon TV. BeoVision Horizon is a screen for flexible living, crafted in sleek, black aluminium and built upon the Android TVTM platform. The new Bang & Olufsen 4K Ultra HD TV features powerful sound and crystal clear images that automatically adjusts to light conditions.

BeoVision Horizon is designed to meet the modern lifestyle demands of flexibility, connectivity and extraordinary quality. It is also a lifestyle where your home takes on different roles and adapts quickly to the changes in your daily routines. Enter BeoVision Horizon, a screen that literally fits in anywhere regardless of your way of living and decorating. It is also a less formal, more casual TV experience you get with today’s introduction, one that follows your rhythm – and one you actively can choose as the centre of entertainment.

Much to love on the BeoVision Horizon – its minimalistic design (placed on wheels or mounted on the wall), its optimum picture and sound equipped with the Immaculate Wireless Sound, its smart access to online content and its BeoRemote One and Multiroom, ergonomically designed to seamlessly integrate with other Bang & Olufsen products.

BeoVision Horizon is available as 40” and 48” at Bang & Olufsen Showroom, Kiarong.

Check out the gorgeous TVs from B&O

A guest eyeing on the new BeoVision

Refreshments from The Food Brigade

Win a BeoVision Horizon 40″

Ok, now about the ultimate humblebragger competition. It’s kinda simple and you don’t need to post anything related to B&O or its products. So here goes.

So, all you have to do for a chance to win, is to share your best humblebrag on their Bang & Olufsen Facebook.
1. Find your best humblebrag.
2. Take a screenshot if it’s a post.
3. Post the picture in the comments below.
4. The entry with the most likes will win!

The postings are only applicable if you post them on Bang & Olufsen’s Facebook. Refer to the image below and just comment with your image and your humble brag.

You can also watch this youtube video below to get some idea of humble brag.

Humblebragging – This is how you do it

Click image to enter Bang & Olufsen’s Brunei Facebook Page

This could be yours (or mine) *big grin*

Flexible Payment

Easy monthly payment – Spread the cost with our flexible payment scheme. For every purchase from our store, you have an option to make one time payment or regular recurring payment by ‘Direct Debit’ in 3/6/12 months*

No interest or fees – your purchase order will be split accordingly to the monthly payment of your choice, no extra fees, no interest or confusing fine print!

Hello 2017.. I haven’t official post anything personally on 2017 or a shoutout. Well, most of you do follow on my social media platforms and it’s easy for me to neglect my once ever popular way to update which is through my blog. We are almost half way mark to January 2017 and I haven’t had the opportunity yet to hand write 2017 on any document just yet. I’m pretty sure that I will make those minor errors, penning down 2016 instead of 2017.

As for resolutions, I haven’t been making any for the past few years because my resolutions are always redefined and ongoing. So I had it with having resolutions to cap the year. I would say that some weren’t accomplished – like having my own studio area, eating lean food (which I did for two months) and also focus on speech writing (which I have no discipline). This year, I shall be continuing my routine – taking pictures, typing articles, continue to be a social media junkie, practice more tennis and build the toastmasters community in Brunei.

Below are some images that I want to share with that that had happened a couple of weeks in January 2017. Have a great weekend ahead.

The new chancery for Republic of Korea in Brunei Darussalam located at the Diplomatic Enclave. It was launched on the 10th January 2017 with the present of a few ministers and of course, Cho Won-Myung, the Korean Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam. Image courtesy of James Kon of Borneo Bulletin.

I’ve been quite addicted to FIFA mobile now. Sometimes I overspent on buying coins just to get the players. It’s not as easy as it seems. Lots of patience required.

Pehin Lau presented donations to those affected from the fire of the Kg. Ayer last year. He is such a cool guy indeed. Lets hope more private companies come in and help to support for a good cause.

Kia motors is having a grand draw for this Friday and the winner will win a new Kia carnival and even the shortlisted winners will walk away with something. Good luck to all the shortlisted ones.

My first hike of 2017 and also Jaymee’s. We hiked a total of maybe 4-5 km.

A movie that I enjoyed and yes, it’s a slow burn indeed. Not many would enjoy this type of film. It has a deeper feel and I love the music score. Also a great performance by Amy Adams. This is my rating for Arrival which is now screening in our local cinemas.

The Pokka Bonanza Third Weekly Draw at Freshco last weekend. The winner won himself a Go Hero Session 5. The final draw will be during the Consumer Fair (18th to 22nd January).

We had a mini pot luck to cap off the year of 2016. Thanks for all the wonderful food.

Full moon for baby Caylan during 1st January 2017. I can’t imagine Hui Chiet being a mother and wow, here she is. Enjoy parenthood 😀

Apart from tennis, I do have my badminton sessions with my buddies. It’s good to see they sweat it out and appreciate their health.

Our birthday are pretty close to one another. So there’s no reason for us to forget each other’s birthday. We surprised her with a cake at Bali Pitstop on the struck of midnight.

I had my fair share too after a few days. This time during our badminton session. My actual surprise was to see my old time friend Seng Yee. Made by day. Thank you everyone for the surprise gesture.

Congratulations to Hjh Rohaidah bte Hj Jumat for winning the grand draw of Charcoal BBQ & Grill and she won herself an Umrah package for two, inclusive return air tickets and ground arrangements. She received the mock prize from Operation Manager Sinar Abdul and Executive Chef Liska Tumbelaka.

Check out the lunch promo set from Charcoal for only BND 9.90 and it comes with a free flow of beverage. Great deal indeed.

Bandar experienced a small tremor after the earthquake that hit off near the Philippines. It forced many to evacuate the buildings in town for precaution measures.

The launch of the Mitsubishi ASX MY17 last weekend at The Mall

Now this is quite interesting. Hoco Creative just launched a new platform to promote musicians, composers from Brunei through Rewind.Asia So do check them out on their Facebook Page (or click this image to follow their updates. I’m quite impressed with their branding and their short music videos, showcasing our local talents with popular cover songs. The mini launch took place at Sejalin Living showroom.

Something for you all to look forward to this Sunday at Sejalin Living. Stand a chance to win a brand new Beovision Horizon TV.

Congratulations Edy Zurina for your first speech in toastmasters. We all look forward to your future speeches 😀 And I didn’t know you like public speaking

Brendan Ti is one friend that I’m gonna miss. A very hard working friend whenever I need him and always been a strong player in any events that we created. Fly high, bro, and I hope you will fly us in three years’ time 😀 This image was taken during his final role as the Toastmaster of the Evening last Monday. He will fly off to New Zealand for his pilot course.

Congratulations to Sweet as Sara for opening their new cafe which is located at Setia Kenang II

I finally had the chance to try out drinks from Beskeet (located at KB Sentral). I quite like it and thanks Sandy for the drink 😉

An event I missed last week. The launch of the new logo for RBTS Paintball and also night paintball. Team AnakBrunei defended their title while Borneo Bulletin came second. My RA team finished 3rd together with DST.

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About RA

A blogger since 2002, using platforms from blogspot, joomla and now currently wordpress. A readership that stands on average of 20,000 visits per month. Also on active on social media platform on IG, Facebook and Snapchat (@ranoadidas)

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